MIKEL ARTETA has played his way into David Moyes' long-term plans since arriving on loan from Real Sociedad.

The Everton boss has been delighted with the impact of the former Rangers midfielder, whose loan from Real Sociedad is set to be turned into a #2.6m permanent deal.

Moyes believes the Spanish midfielder has filled the void left by Thomas Gravesen's January departure to Real Madrid.

He said: "It was the Aston Villa away game when we realised how good and influential a player Mikel Arteta could be. That was the game where people saw we had found somebody who could do a similar job to Tommy, somebody who would help us play and we were in need of that. It was getting tough for us at that point and the players were tiring a little.

"They were needing somebody to come in to give them a boost and seeing Mikel doing so well did that. Mikel showed he was able to go into the midfield, control the ball and pass it very well.

"His play steadied us down at that period. But he has not surprised me because I knew how good he had been in Scotland.

"But what attracts me about him is the fact he is still young - he is only 23. He will get better and he has come to a club that is going well and moving in the right direction.

"Tommy was a big player for us. We knew he was a bit inconsistent and a bit indisciplined at times in his play but he was also a match winner.

"He could see a pass, he could play people in and he had a great ability to keep hold of the ball.

"Mikel has come in and done a similar job but in his own way. He is not the same as Tommy, but he has come in and done very well.

"When he arrived he hadn't played a lot of football but he has shown us it was the right decision to bring him in.

"We would have liked to have signed more players along with Mikel in January. But the others we would have wanted were not available at that time."